University Diploma — E-2 Visa & EPIK Application
A Bachelor's degree is a non-negotiable requirement for teaching in Korea. Here's what counts, how to apostille it in your country, and exactly what to send in your Final Documents package.
Why Your Diploma Matters
A University Diploma (Bachelor's) is required by the Korean government under the E-2 teaching visa eligibility rules. The Korean Ministry of Education requires that applicants hold a 3- or 4-year Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and that the diploma be apostilled by the competent authority in the issuing country.
You do NOT submit the original unique diploma from your graduation. Instead, you get a color photocopy notarized, then apostilled, and submit the apostilled copy with your Final Documents package. This protects your original — once submitted, it will not be returned.
The same process applieswhether you are going to EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, GOE, or a private hagwon — any E-2 visa applicant must submit an apostilled Bachelor's diploma.
Acceptable Diploma Types
Applicants from the seven E-2 eligible countries each have specific degree conventions. Here's what counts for the Korean E-2 visa from each country.
U.S. Bachelor's (4-Year)
Standard 4-year Bachelor's from an accredited U.S. college or university. Online Bachelor's from regionally accredited institutions is accepted.
UK Bachelor's (3-Year BA/BSc)
3-year Bachelor's of Arts or Science from an accredited UK institution. Ordinary and honours Bachelor's both accepted. Foundation years do not count toward the 3 years.
Canadian Bachelor's
3- or 4-year Bachelor's from an accredited Canadian university. Both general and honours degrees are accepted.
Australian Bachelor's
3-year Bachelor's from an accredited Australian university. Pass degree, honours degree, and double degrees are all accepted.
South African Bachelor's
3- or 4-year undergraduate Bachelor's ONLY. Advanced Diplomas, Higher Diplomas, and Honours Bachelor's (as a separate post-graduate award) are NOT accepted. SAQA letter must verify the undergraduate degree specifically.
Irish BA (Honours)
Ordinary or Honours Bachelor's from an accredited Irish university. Both NUI and private university awards accepted if the institution is recognized by the Irish state.
Apostille / Authentication Process by Country
Every E-2 applicant's diploma must be apostilled by the competent authority in the country of issue. Here's the responsible body in each of the six primary source countries.
| Country | Competent Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | U.S. Secretary of State (issuing state) | Apostille is issued by the Secretary of State of the state where your diploma was notarized. Some states require county clerk certification first. Federal-level documents go through the U.S. Department of State. |
| Canada | Global Affairs Canada — Authentication Services Section | Since January 11, 2024 Canada is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa issues the apostille. Some provinces may issue their own sub-apostilles — confirm with your program whether provincial is sufficient. |
| UK | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) | The FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes apostilles UK academic documents. Premium and standard service levels available. Documents typically need solicitor or notary certification before apostille. |
| Australia | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) | DFAT issues the apostille in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In-person or mail-in service. The Australian qualification must typically be certified by a notary public first. |
| South Africa | Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) | DIRCO in Pretoria apostilles education documents. SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) letter verifying your undergraduate Bachelor's is also required for Korean programs. |
| Ireland | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) | The DFA in Dublin apostilles Irish qualifications. University documents must typically be signed by the Registrar and then notarized by an Irish notary before apostille. |
Processing times, fees, and exact procedures vary. Always check the issuing authority's official website for the current process before mailing documents.
What to Send to Korvia
Your Final Documents package must include everything below. Missing any one of these will delay your E-2 visa issuance.
- ✓Original apostilled diploma (NOT your unique physical diploma from graduation — use a color photocopy that is then apostilled)
- ✓Two (2) notarized color copies of the apostilled diploma
- ✓Any legal name-change documents if your passport name differs from the diploma
- ✓For South Africans: SAQA letter verifying your undergraduate Bachelor's specifically
- ✓For in-progress graduates: Letter of Expected Graduation on official letterhead with registrar signature/stamp
Always ship internationally via trackable courier (FedEx, DHL, EMS, Xpresspost International). Lost documents mean restarting the entire apostille chain.
Common Mistakes
The four most frequent reasons a diploma document gets rejected — all preventable.
Sending a Photocopy Without Apostille
A plain photocopy — even a color one — will be rejected. You must have the photocopy notarized, then apostilled by the competent authority in your country. The apostille is what gives the copy international legal standing.
Sending Your Original Physical Diploma
Do NOT send the original unique diploma you received at graduation. It will not be returned to you after submission to the Korean program. Always apostille a color photocopy, keep the original safe at home.
Wrong Notary Format
The notary must use the exact certification language required in your state/country. Some U.S. states require an acknowledgment of signature; others require an oath (jurat). If the notary block is wrong, the apostille office will reject the document.
Name Mismatch With Passport
If your diploma has a maiden name, middle-initial, or different transliteration than your passport, include legal name-change documentation (marriage certificate, court order) apostilled alongside. Korean immigration cross-checks every name.
What If I Lost My Diploma?
Request a certified replacement directly from your university's registrar or records office. Most universities charge a small fee (US $25–$100) and ship a new original within 2–4 weeks. Some universities issue digital diplomas with a verifiable QR code — confirm with your Korean program whether a digital-signed PDF is acceptable before investing time in a physical replacement.
Once the replacement arrives, you proceed with the normal notarization + apostille chain. Factor an additional 2–4 weeks into your timeline. If your intake deadline is tight, contact your Korvia recruiter immediately — we can sometimes arrange extensions with the program office for documented registrar delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Is an online degree accepted for EPIK and the E-2 visa?
Yes, as long as the online Bachelor's is from an accredited college or university. Accreditation is the key filter — regionally accredited U.S. online programs, UK Open University degrees, and other recognized online institutions are accepted. Diploma mills and unaccredited programs are rejected.
Q.Is an Associate's degree (2-year) enough?
No. A 2-year Associate's degree does not meet the E-2 visa minimum. You must hold a 3- or 4-year Bachelor's degree. The only exception is if you combine an Associate's with additional credit hours that amount to a full Bachelor's — but the final award must be a Bachelor's.
Q.What's the difference between a diploma and a degree certificate?
In most countries they are the same document. A 'diploma' or 'degree certificate' is the physical document issued by the university confirming your degree. Some universities call it a 'parchment' or 'testamur'. Any of these is acceptable as long as it confirms the Bachelor's award and your name. Transcripts are separate and not usually required for the apostille.
Q.Does an apostille ever expire?
The apostille itself does not have an expiry date, but Korean programs often request an apostille issued within the past 1–2 years. If your apostille is significantly older, your recruiter may ask you to reorder. The cost is usually minimal compared to starting over from a lost document.
Q.Can I apply to EPIK while I'm still finishing my degree?
Yes. Applicants completing their final semester can apply using a Letter of Expected Graduation from the university. The letter must be on official school letterhead, state your anticipated graduation date, state when you'll receive your diploma, and carry a registrar's signature or official stamp. Your diploma must be in hand and apostilled before final documents / visa issuance.
Q.My diploma isn't in English. What do I do?
If the diploma is in a non-English language, you must obtain an official English translation by a certified translator, have the translation notarized, and apostille BOTH the original diploma and the translation together. Korean consulates require an English (or Korean) version for visa processing.
Ready to Apply?
Start your EPIK application with Korvia. We'll pre-review your apostilled diploma before it ever reaches the Korean program — catching mistakes early, saving you weeks.